One news headline says that general Petraeus reports 60% violence decline in iraq.
But just this past week there was at least one bombing that killed 12 people, and a mass grave was found with like 20 freshly killed bodies, and of course today this news report came out:
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYeFwuWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8TBFGVO0
So my question is ....is it possible just possible that Petraeus is not being totally candid?
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gkx-3oYeFwuWKCusr2jrojs98w8wD8TBFGVO0
2007-12-05 19:05:04 · 7 answers · asked by ningis n 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
I don't understand why you think this is a contradiction.
Violence was down 60%, not 100%. These numbers that you're reading are extremely low. There are more bombings in Miami that what you've listed.
2007-12-05 19:09:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
it depends on what the 60% is down from and in what time frame.
Is Petraes saying deaths have been reduced 60% in the last month? two months? three months?
If we assume that 200 people died in the time period before the surge, then a 60% decrease would result in only 120 people dying.
But I'm willing to bet that the US Military estimate of 60% reduction is an overly optimistic estimate. I would probably guess that it's actually around 30-40% reduction in mortality.
2007-12-05 19:16:18 · answer #2 · answered by Revolutionista barista 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I have no reason to doubt the general's honesty, but accurate statistics are non-existent. There probably has been a recent decline in violence and death, but the figures are still horrifying. His statements reminded me of how our government characterized the war in Vietnam prior to the Tet Offensive and the eventual fall of South Vietnam.
2007-12-05 19:56:22 · answer #3 · answered by GENE 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
60% lower than what?
60% lower than the WORST month.
The surge has merely lowered the body count to pre-peak numbers, and most of the credit must go to the Iraqi people, who've taken up arms against the insurgents after losing confidence in our "surge".
2007-12-05 19:18:16 · answer #4 · answered by CaesarLives 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Ha Ha... not only possible but probable. He is saying what the Whitehouse wants him to say.
2007-12-05 19:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by Debra H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contradiction is like two politicians. You never know what the real story is.
In Iraq, they will be good days and bad days. Hard to say what is a good day. It's WAR remember. People get killed.
Bless our troops.
2007-12-05 19:10:45 · answer #6 · answered by Net Advisor™ 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
It was 60%, it no longer is sadly.
2007-12-05 19:12:07 · answer #7 · answered by Think 1st 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋